Tour de France 2017: Froome's bid for fourth win boosted by Thomas and Landa's recovery

Geraint Thomas and Mikel Landa have been named in the Team Sky squad to support Chris Froome’s bid for a fourth Tour de France title next month.

Thomas and Landa led Sky in the Giro d’Italia in May but their overall hopes were ended when a police motorbike caused a crash on the Blockhaus climb on stage nine.

While the Spaniard Landa continued in the race and took victory on the mountainous stage 19, Wales’ Thomas was forced to withdraw but has recovered from his injuries in time to head to France.

But while Thomas and Landa are in, there are noticeable absences from the nine-man group, with Wout Poels and Ian Stannard left out along with Peter Kennaugh.

Dutchman Poels, who played a major role in Froome’s victory 12 months ago, suffered a significant knee injury in February and only returned to race at the Route du Sud earlier this month.

British duo Stannard and Kennaugh were both in the Sky team in the traditional Tour warm-up race, the Criterium du Dauphine, earlier this month but have been overlooked in the final selection.

That means there are three Brits in the squad, with Froome and Thomas joined by valued road captain Luke Rowe.

As it has for the past few editions, the Sky squad contains plenty of strength and experience.

The 36-year-old German Christian Knees will line up in his homeland as the Tour begins in Dusseldorf on July 1, and forms part of a hugely experienced core alongside 35-year-old time trial specialist Vasil Kiryienka and 33-year-old Spanish climber Mikel Nieve.

Former world champion Michal Kwiatkowski is rewarded for a hugely impressive spring with a place in the squad, which is completed by Colombian climber Sergio Henao.

Froome is aiming to win the Tour for a third straight year and fourth overall following victories in 2013, 2015 and 2016.

“The Tour de France is a special race and it would just be incredible to win it for a fourth time,” the 32-year-old said. “Aiming for that fourth victory has given me a lot of motivation.

“To me, each Tour tells a different story. Every Tour is a different battle in terms of getting that yellow jersey and then trying to hold on to it.

“We’re ready as a team and I can’t wait for the Tour to start now. Honestly, I just love it. It’s a feeling that you don’t get from any other race.”

With fewer mountain-top finishes and time trial kilometres than recent editions, the route could open up the field but Sky believe they have tailored their squad accordingly.

“We’re really looking forward to the Tour,” team principal Sir Dave Brailsford said. “Chris is in good shape and he’s ready for it.

“To win the Tour once is a huge achievement, but to win it a fourth time would be remarkable.

“We’ve selected a strong and experienced line-up who will support him, and we’ll be looking to use the strength of the team to our advantage.”